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Beginner player deciding on a bass amp and cabinet

#41
I echo the "used gear" sentiment. Find some of the older used heads that are going for next to nothing because they are heavier. Now is a great time to be looking for your first real rig, because everyone is dumping their older heavier gear for the newer lighter stuff.

What you should be looking for are non "Class D" heads, and non "Neo" cabs.

Here are some of the brands that you should be looking for that are considered good bass brands, super reliable, deliver the goods, and seem to be dirt cheap nowadays:

SWR
Gallien Krueger
Fender
Trace Elliot
Hartke
Eden

If you get any of this stuff used, it will hold it's value. The newer Fender Rumbles are priced very competitively and a used one would be fine as well (even though I believe they are class D).

Other brands that might be OK, but aren't as coveted (at least around here) would include Peavey and Carvin. They are both still decent brands, but aren't in as much demand...... and might be a little more difficult to unload down the road. Also, consider Carvin no longer manufactures bass gear, so getting parts and repairs may prove difficult down the road.

Edit: I would stay away from the TC stuff....but that's just me. ;-)
 
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#42
What you might do before dropping a pile of money on a rig is talk to a local sound guy for input, perhaps the one you hope will mix you for gigs. Rock bands, especially metal bands, tend to get into decibel arms races with their fellow bandmates and as such they tend to have terrible stage-noise discipline resulting in noisy mush.
 
#44
20181228_173646.jpg

$849 New. Super loud. You can use the combo on top for small gigs.
 

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#47
MateoG78 said:
Hi everyone, I am looking for a decent bass amp and cabinet. I was previously using a friend's hand-me-down Rumble 15. Recently the amp died on me and I wanted to get a new one.

I had my eye on the TC Electronic BH550 and the TC Electronic K-212 or K-410. I wanted to know if this is a good combination and if it is, should I go with the 212 or 410.


I play in a band with a drummer, guitarist (sometimes 2), and singer. We play hard rock, thrash metal for more background.
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212s are way easier to haul around than a 410.
 
#48
MateoG78 said:
Hi everyone, I am looking for a decent bass amp and cabinet. I was previously using a friend's hand-me-down Rumble 15. Recently the amp died on me and I wanted to get a new one.

I had my eye on the TC Electronic BH550 and the TC Electronic K-212 or K-410. I wanted to know if this is a good combination and if it is, should I go with the 212 or 410.


I play in a band with a drummer, guitarist (sometimes 2), and singer. We play hard rock, thrash metal for more background.
Click to expand...
I've got the TC BQ500 and the K-210. Works well for me for rehearsals and small (up to 100 people) gigs. The 212 will be enough I think, a lot lighter and take up less space on stage.
 
#52
One thing about TC Electronics, they pissed off a whole lot of people several years ago with some "interesting" methods in measuring output. Their idea of 800 watts may not jive with other people's idea of 800 watts. You can do some research, read all about it, and make up your own mind.

Me, I'm not really concerned with the numbers on something. I care about sound. Whether or not my BH800 correlates to anybody's idea of what 800 watts should be, it sounds great to me and has plenty of volume and clarity for what I use it for.
 
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#55
My advice. Buy something used of CL. Get something solid, loud enough, and cheap. Heavier rigs with large cabs are cheap. This will get you going and allow you to figure out what you want. When the time comes you will have a better idea of what you want. Then upgrade one component (amp or cab)with something that you will keep for a while. Then when you have more $$$ replace the other component.

This is a much better idea than buying a rig that while nice might not be what you are looking for. Good luck.
 
#56
chiphaleonbass said:
Can't go wrong with the new Fender Rumble line, light, loud and tonally pleasing. You can gig with them ...
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Agree! The Fender Rumbles are a terrific value, even more so if bought used.

chiphaleonbass said:
... as the larger ones have a nice DI out, and ...
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The nice XLR Out starts with the 40 watt model and continues thru all the larger combos and heads.

chiphaleonbass said:
... you can add extension cabs in the future to only further push volume and sound waves.
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It's only the larger combos that will take an extension cab, in fact they are required to reach their nameplate output. The 200 is 140 watts alone. The 500 is 350 watts by itself. And the Stage 800 is 400 watts alone, but can power up to two 8 ohm cabs or a 4 ohm cab!

And the new Rumble 800 HD can drive up to four 8 ohm cabs!!!
 

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